Firecrackers Have Nothing Do With Diwali, But A Lot To Do With Killing Delhi's Air

The mention of Diwali evokes glorious images of multi-hued Chinese lights dotting every building in the vicinity, a mixed array of lamps and candles gracing all the flat surfaces along the way, and of course the loaded plateful of sweets and the sparkling new clothes which complete the prep for the celebrations.

What? You think I forgot to mention something? Yes, the puja, right? Of course, no Diwali celebration can begin without the blessings of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi, on this auspicious occasion. What else? You certainly aren't hinting at those loudmouthed elements that wreak havoc on Diwali, are you?

Well, seems like you are talking about the firecrackers after all. Well, given Delhi's current air quality and its inhabitants' constant struggle to take the next breath of air, besides of course the Supreme Court's ban on everything except green crackers, I'd say that petitioning for free-use of firecrackers at this point is a little ill-timed.

The national capital is literally choking on its own air even as you read this. The latest CPCB data on Tuesday states that the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 394, which falls in the 'very poor' category, and warning has been put out that the situation will only get worse.

Yet, here you are questioning my decision to do away with the mention of firecrackers on a Diwali post, and challenging the wisdom of the SC judges who called for the partial ban and even gave a free pass to bursting of green crackers between 8 pm to 10 pm tomorrow, in the spirit of the celebrations.

Anyhow, before you go any further to bash me over my cause to discourage you from bursting crackers, maybe you'd like to know that bursting crackers on Diwali has never been a part of ancient Hindu tradition. It simply happened to be a result of social interactions with China, which were adopted by Indians.

Don't believe me? But history has proof.

History shows that firecrackers were first invented in China, which made their way to India and other neighbouring countries due to trade movements. Historian P K Gode talks about the existence of gunpowder in 1400 AD and the first evidence of which could be found in the Tang dynasty in his 'History of Fireworks in India between 1400 and 1900'.

According to Chinese belief system, loud sounds and bright light helps to ward off evil, and therefore it was a popular practice in that part of the world. However, higher price initially prevented commoners from accessing it easily, thus was usually the royals who made use of fireworks for their personal entertainment.

Numerous travelogues by ancient travellers validate this fact, as can also be seen in Marathi chronicle text 'Peshwayanchi Bakhar'. But the Chinese belief soon made its way to India and found acceptance as the signifier of victory of good over evil. Thus, people chose to light crackers during Diwali to mark their celebration of Ram and Sita's return from exile, after having defeated the evil Ravana.

Diwali was always meant to be a celebration of lights, the crackers came much later. Apart from deafening sounds and loads of air pollution, is only brings you smog (and a little more closer to your death).